NORTH-WESTERN Province Permanent Secretary Grandson Katambi has called for stronger laws to combat the rising cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the country.

Speaking when he officially opened the Provincial consultative meeting in Solwezi on the amendment of the Anti-Gender-Based Violence Act Number 1 of 2011, Colonel Katambi (Rtd) said the review of the law is an important step towards strengthening the national legal framework aimed at preventing and responding to GBV.

Col. Katambi thanked Cabinet Office through the Gender Division for spearheading the review process, which involves consultations with stakeholders across the country. 

He noted that the consultative meeting in North-Western Province provides an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute their views and experiences to the national process of reviewing the law.

Col. Katambi (rtd) observed that the amendment of the Act has come at a critical time when GBV cases continue to increase despite ongoing awareness campaigns and interventions.

“I must confirm that gender-based violence has remained one of the most serious social challenges affecting our community today as highlighted in the recent national statistics,” he said.